Shading stimulus

April 22, 2014

How do humans see 3D shapes based on 2D shading?

It has long been assumed that one of the ways in which humans perceive three-dimensions in a two-dimensional image is due to an implicit assumption that light is ‘falling from above’ (affecting the shading in the image). In this study, new research shows that this effect can be swayed by other light clues, for example by the presence of an external light source. A new blog post also explores these perception findings in greater context.

Shading stimulus

April 22, 2014

How do humans see 3D shapes based on 2D shading?

It has long been assumed that one of the ways in which humans perceive three-dimensions in a two-dimensional image is due to an implicit assumption that light is ‘falling from above’ (affecting the shading in the image). In this study, new research shows that this effect can be swayed by other light clues, for example by the presence of an external light source. A new blog post also explores these perception findings in greater context.